Two popular fictional characters will make a guest appearance at pARTy in the Park on Saturday.

“Working with (the) Hannibal, Mo., Chamber of Commerce, we are bringing Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher from the popular book ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ to pARTy in the Park,” Betty LaGrone, executive director of River Valley Arts Center, said.

The characters will entertain throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday with “walk around” skits. The pARTy in the Park community festival is sponsored by the Arts Center and will be conducted at Russellville City Park, the Arts Center and Hughes Community Center.

Each year the Hannibal, Mo., Chamber of Commerce hosts a competition among eighth-grade students to select students who will portray these characters for one year.

They perform at many venues, including an annual visit to the Calaveras County, Calif., Jumping Frog Jubilee and Elmira, N.Y., to represent Hannibal and their Mark Twain Heritage.

They have made appearances throughout the United States, Japan, Mexico and Canada.

Tom and Becky will also assist Wetzel LaGrone and Lynn Wiman with a brief Huckleberry story reading which will be followed by a fence-painting competition throughout the festival. Kids are invited to visit the area to paint and win a goody bag of prizes.

While in Russellville, Tom and Becky will also entertain at a dinner party at 7 p.m. today at Vintage Books.

Tickets are $50 each and help support pARTy in the Park and other Arts Center programs and services. Tickets are still available by calling 968-2452.